The Indianapolis Colts are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, focusing on filling key needs, particularly at edge rusher and wide receiver. The draft begins on April 23 in Pittsburgh.
Key points
2026 NFL Draft starts on April 23 in Pittsburgh
Colts need to fill edge rusher and wide receiver positions
Kwity Paye was lost in free agency
Michael Pittman Jr. was traded to Pittsburgh
Mentioned in this story
Pittsburgh
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts 2026 NFL Draft: Picks, biggest needs, best fit and trade predictions
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off live from Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23 and the latest crop of rookies will be hearing their names called all weekend long. For the Indianapolis Colts, the biggest need is an obvious one: Edge rusher.
Indianapolis lost Kwity Paye, who was the team's second-best edge rusher, in free agency. Laiatu Latu is the only Colts' edge rusher opposing teams have to gameplan for. Wide receiver is also a notable need after the club traded Michael Pittman Jr. to Pittsburgh.
Here's everything you need to know about the Indianapolis Colts for this year's draft, including a round-by-round look at picks and a potential trade candidate already on the roster.
Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.
See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Q&A
What are the Indianapolis Colts' biggest needs for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Colts' biggest needs are at edge rusher and wide receiver.
When does the 2026 NFL Draft start for the Indianapolis Colts?
The 2026 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, April 23.
Who did the Indianapolis Colts lose in free agency that impacts their draft strategy?
The Colts lost Kwity Paye, their second-best edge rusher, in free agency.
What trade involving a player has affected the Colts' wide receiver position?
The Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. to Pittsburgh, creating a need for a wide receiver.
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Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.
Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.
Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.
Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.
Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.
Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.
Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
1 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.
See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
1 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.
See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
2 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.
3 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.
4 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.
5 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.
6 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
7 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
8 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.
9 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.
10 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft best prospect fit: LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
Per USA TODAY's Ayrton Ostly:
The Colts spent in free agency to stock up in the secondary and the defensive line but the linebacking corps is lagging behind. Golday brings prototypical size to the position with great athleticism and fluidity to improve as a coverage guy. His hand strength makes him a solid run defender and help the Colts' defense in both phases.
Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft trade candidate: QB Anthony Richardson
Per USA TODAY's Jack McKessy:
The writing is on the wall for Richardson's time in Indianapolis. After Daniel Jones' extension, it's just a matter of time before the young gunslinger ends up somewhere else. The good news for the Colts is Richardson is a very enticing prospect with an intriguing skill set mix of cannon arm and excellent running ability. He's also a former first-round pick, allowing prospective trade partners to have a young project quarterback like Richardson for an extra year on a fifth-year option if things work out. All of those factors could net the Colts a nice return of picks, which they could use after trading away two first-rounders for Sauce Gardner last year.
